FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Although organized team activities are voluntary, one doesn’t need to look far at how the absence of a high-profile player can become headline news. It’s happening this week with New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

With that as a springboard, cornerback Malcolm Butler drew one of the largest media crowds after the Patriots’ organized team activity on Thursday. His presence, after a challenging offseason at the negotiating table, was notable to reporters.

Butler publicly addressed reporters for the first time this offseason, explaining why he chose to attend voluntary workouts despite not signing the lucrative long-term extension he hoped would come his way.

“I wasn’t going to hurt nobody but myself if I missed this,” he told reporters. “This is time to get better. That’s what I’m out here to do. Get better. Have another great year. Anything to help the team. Present a positive image.”

Such an approach will only further endear Butler to a fan base that is forever grateful to him for his Super Bowl XLIX-saving interception, and hopes he remains a Patriot into the future.

But as it stands now, Butler is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season. Set to earn $3.91 million this season, he isn’t looking into his crystal ball to project what happens after that.

“Can’t predict the future,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens.”

Just as Butler isn’t looking to the future, he also isn’t spending much time looking back. He said the “past is the past” when asked about the offseason and his contract, which included him visiting the New Orleans Saints as a restricted free agent. He also repeated that his goal was to help the team win.

“I’m here. I’m here. This is my team,” he said, answering a question on if his head was in a good place.

In Thursday’s practice, Butler often worked opposite of Stephon Gilmore, whom the Patriots signed to a five-year, $65 million contract in March. Asked his reaction at the time the Patriots signed Gilmore, Butler first paused before saying, “Another good player. Anything to help the team win, I’m down with it.”

He later added, “Ignore the noise. Keep working no matter what. You’ve got a job to do no matter where you’re at. I’m glad to be here to do this job.”

There were times this offseason when it was unclear if Butler would be here.

He is, and based on what he said after practice, he’s all-in for what has the potential to be a memorable season in New England.